Aquatic Friction Reducer And Antifouling Paint Enhancer

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a novel hydrophilic or “water-loving” bottom finish for boats and watercraft composed and based on a non-ablative long-chain polymer, which is semi-permeable, but non-soluble in water. 
     The invention also permits a slower, controlled release of the bioactive ingredients in anti-fouling marine paints. 
     The invention further reduces fluid-flow friction and improves the drag verses speed ratio.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a method to alter thephysical nature of the boundary layer between the hull and water bycreating a “fluid-to-fluid surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide maximum efficiency andservice life to anti-fouling paints.

It is a further object of the invention to provide faster accelerationfor boats because of the increased water compatibility, but also becausethe bottom stays cleaner for prolonged periods.

It is an additional object of the invention to improve drag versus speedratio resulting in impressive fuel savings.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE PRIOR ARTS

In the past, compositions comprised of Acrylic Resin, Polyethyleneimineand a Polypoxide have been applied to food industry, construction andcosmetic industries and generally employed where it is desired to permitthe passage of some moisture, oxygen and carbon dioxide through acoating without passage of larger molecules in the following U.S. patentamong others:

Applicant U.S. Pat. No. Vassileff 3,786,113

The problems associated with the sited 21 examples of manufacturingproduct from the Vassileff patent, in the marine industry (specificallythe invention) are numerous.

Extensive experimentation was necessary to create a new and improvedsolvent-based product. This involves the flushing of water and/oralcohol after the cross-linking phase. The most successful results wereachieved by replacement of the two components used in the prior artalong with the cross-linking agent.

New mixing solvents such as xylene, mineral spirits or the like provedto be excellent replacements and found to be compatible withanti-fouling paints. The new vehicle/mixing solvents (composed ofsmaller molecules than water) drove the compound (the invention) deeperinto the boat hull and did not peel off. The new solvent based formula(the invention) was also successful in adhering to anti-fouling paintson boat hulls.

By utilizing newer versions of the compositions found in the prior artsand climating water and alcohol from the “general procedure”, andreplacing them with a smaller solvent molecule and new resin bindingsystem, the new compound (the invention) will no longer peel or releasebut instead, will have to be physically removed from the boat hull.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a multi-step process for the creation ofa polymeric composition that when applied to the hull of a boat, createsa beneficial “water-to-water” relationship.

The present invention also discloses a multi-step process for thecreation of a polymeric composition that when applied over commonanti-fouling paints, on the hull of a boat, enhances these paints inseveral beneficial ways.

The process involves an intimate mixture of one Polyacrylic Resin andone Polyoxypropylenediamine. Varieties of these products are readilyavailable and well known to the arts.

The two principle components are advantageously mixed in a suitablesolvent. The mixed polymers are in turn mixed with a cross-linking agentand cured.

Following conventional methods well known to the art, a glycerol epoxyresin can readily be employed and the degree of cross-linking desired inthe final product can readily be determined and empirically for the twoprinciple components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The old composition is easily prepared by physically blending the twopolymers. In past applications, the mixture is utilized in the form ofan aqueous or alcohol solution and in such cases, the two polymers weresimply added to an appropriate volume of water or alcohol or separatesolutions of each polymer are prepared and the two solutions thencombined and cross-linked with a specified amount of glycerol epoxyresin in water or alcohol. This technique failed in marine application.

In essence, the new procedure employs higher performance polymersreadily available in today's market and in an acceptable solvent basefor use in the marine industry.

The new polymeric compositions comprise a homogeneous mixture of onePolyacrylic Resin and one Polyoxypropylenediamine. This mixture, insolvent-based situ is then subjected to conditions, which effectcross-linking.

In a preferred embodiment, the Polyacrylic Resin andPolyoxypropylenediamine is possible.

The Polyacrylic Resin employed in these compositions is substantially ofthe same type as that well known to the art. Typical of thesepolyacrylic resins are those available from Novion Chemical Companyunder the trademark Carboset®. These are typically such compounds asCarboset 510, 525, 526, 527 and the like being random interpolymerutilizing up to as many as five different acrylate monomers.

The second component of the present composition is a Polyxipropelenewhich can be chemically depicted as being of the formula(Poly(oxy(methyl- 1,2-ethanediyl)),alpha-(2-aminomethylethyl)omega-(2-amenomethylethoxy)-. This componentis a well-known, commercially available substance from Huntsman ChemicalCorporation under the trademark Jeffamine®.

Typical of the epoxides employed as cross-linking agents are thoseavailable from Hexion Chemical Company under the trademark Epon®. Theseare typically such compounds as Epon 872, 8021, 8111, 8115, 8121, and8161 having epoxide equivalents of 172 to 6000, an epoxide equivalentbeing the grams of resin containing 1 gram-equivalent of epoxide.

The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of thepresent invention without being a limitation on the scope thereof, theinvention being defined solely by the appended claims.

GENERAL PROCEDURE

The new composition is easily prepared by physically blending 160 gramsof Carboset 525 with 180 grams of Jeffamine D-230 utilizing asolvent-based mixing solution. The two polymers are simply combined andmixed by man or machine under normal atmospheric conditions. Wherenecessary, heat was applied to accelerate the formulation of a suitablesolution. These components, in situ, are cross-linked with 20 grams ofEpon 8111 and cured.

EXAMPLE 1

160 grams of Carboset 525 and 180 grams of Jeffamine D-230 are combinedin a 1000 ml beaker and physically mixed with 360 ml of Xylene (Xylo)for 20 minutes. The resultant mixture is cross-linked with 20 grams ofEpon 8111 and allowed to cure for 72 hours.

EXAMPLE 2

160 grams of Carboset 527 and 180 grams of Jeffamine T-403 are combinedin a 1000 ml beaker and mixing magnet inserted. 240 ml of VM&P Naphtha(Nafta VM&P) was introduced as mixing solvent. The beaker was placed ona magnetic plate and heat applied. The mixture was allowed to stir for 2hours under heated conditions of 67° C. in order to accelerate theformulation of a suitable solution. Should the amount of the materialexceed solubility at normal temperatures, as evidenced by the formationof solid upon cooling the final solution, the solid can be readilyremoved through conventional methods such as filtration. The resultantmixture is cross-linked with 60 grams of Epon 872 and allowed to curefor 72 hours.

1. A process to compose a novel hydrophilic bottom finish for boats andwatercraft based on a non-ablative long chain polymer.
 2. The process ofclaim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish can be applied by brush,roller or airless spray apparatus.
 3. The process of claim 1, whereinthe resultant bottom finish can be applied over the bare hull of boatsand watercraft.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottomfinish can be employed in various applications in addition towatercraft; i.e., surf boards, snow skies, snow mobiles, aircraft, etc.5. The process of claim 1, wherein the resultant bottom finish issemi-permeable, but not soluble in water.
 6. The process of claim 5,wherein the resultant bottom finish alters the physical nature of theboundary layer between the boat hull and water.
 7. The process of claim6, wherein the resultant bottom finish absorbs a controlled amount ofwater, up to 40%.
 8. The process of claim 7, wherein the resultantbottom finish creates a fluid-to-fluid surface in water.
 9. The processof claim 8, wherein the resultant bottom finish is hard and tough whendry then softens with the absorption of water upon launching.
 10. Aprocess to compose a novel hydrophilic bottom finish for boats andwatercraft based on a non-ablative long chain polymer to be applied overanti-fouling paints on boats and watercraft.
 11. The process of claim10, wherein the resultant bottom finish permits a slower, controlledrelease of the bioactive ingredients in anti-fouling paints.
 12. Theprocess of claim 11, wherein the resultant bottom finish controls theleaching rate of the toxicant whereas barnacles and other such sea lifevirtually can not attach with up to 97% efficiency over a 25 monthperiod.
 13. The process of claim 12, wherein the resultant bottom finishincreases efficiency and service life of anti-fouling paints.
 14. Theprocess of claim 13, wherein the resultant bottom finish increases watercompatibility and prolongs hull cleanliness.
 15. The process of claim14, wherein the resultant bottom finish decreases time intervals betweencostly haul-outs for cleaning.
 16. A process to compose a novelhydrophilic bottom finish for boats and watercraft based on anon-ablative long chain polymer to be applied on the hull of boats andwatercraft that improves drag verses speed ratio in water.
 17. Theprocess of claim 16, wherein the resultant bottom finish reduces fluidflow friction in water.
 18. The process of claim 17, wherein theresultant bottom finish exhibits impressive fuel savings.